NEWS

There’s more to Ralph R. McKee High School than meets the eye. The school, which once had famed author Frank McCourt as a teacher, offers its students a series of classes in technical and trade curriculum, preparing them for college if they wish, but also with enough skill and experience to work upon graduation. Because of the curriculum’s emphasis on academic, career, and technical education, McKee students have specialized knowledge in industries that allow many post-secondary choices.

The school, which specializes in ready-to-work programs, offers students instruction and training in cosmetology, construction, Cisco networking, graphic design, pre-engineering, and automotive technology. In addition, its successful Electrical Engineering Pilot Program will yield another offering for students very soon. The school also looks forward to adding another career and technical education (CTE) program to its forte in the form of software engineering, teaching students the principals of Computer Science.

On April 29, Borough President James Oddo stopped in to the school for an informal tour. Assistant Principal Agron Velija noted that the school’s internship programs and apprenticeships help McKee students to stand apart. In many instances, the relationships that the school – and students – are building line them up for employment after graduation. The school currently works with fourteen local businesses including Manfredi Auto Group, Dana Lincoln Ford, Harley Davidson, Miller’s Launch, Scaran Oil and more to train students interested in their respective fields.

David Sarno, the school’s work based learning coordinator, noted that these relationships are key to students’ success. “The local businesses love our kids. And it’s great because DOE pays and insures them (the students) and it prepares them for a career in the industry.”Aside from the current partnerships, Sarno said he is eager to get the kids working on a restoration project with the new Lighthouse Museum.

Another terrific opportunity on the horizon is the software engineering program, which is currently in a pilot at the school and at New Dorp High School. Students will learn to code using new, in demand programming languages. The program’s goal is to better prepare students for college and careers in the technology world. Core topics for the first year of the program were computer programming, embedded electronics, web design and programs – and will continue to grow to meet the needs of a tech driven economy. The school’s principal, Sharon Henry, is eager to take the program from pilot status to another CTE offering.

As part of his borough-wide health initiative, Borough President James S. Oddo will host a mobile mammography van outside of Borough Hall on Thursday, May 8, 2014, beginning at 9am. The screenings will be available to women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year.

“Women need to be made aware of risk factors and see a doctor – they need to take care of themselves too, so they can be there for their families,” noted Marion Smith, RN, Cancer Program Coordinator at Richmond University Medical Center.

Mammograms are still the best way to detect changes and disease, Island experts agree. “Mammograms are important preventative measures for women. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat,” noted Borough President Oddo. “By providing these screenings, we want to encourage Staten Islanders to focus on their health. Despite studies to contrary, experts on Staten Island are continuing to talk about the importance of mammograms. Women should speak to their doctors to determine whether their risk factors require such screening.”

In addition, resources for women undergoing breast cancer treatment abound on Staten Island. At RUMC, a Patient Navigator program has been in full swing for several years to help usher women through the process from diagnosis through treatment to restored health. Particularly vulnerable, the navigators say, are African American women. “African American women tend to be diagnosed at an advanced stage,” noted Ms. Smith. “Women are afraid, they don’t want to know.”

But knowing is exactly what can save their lives.

The mobile mammograms will be funded by Cancer Services Program of Staten Island, Richmond County Savings Foundation, Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, and The Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

In addition, a mini-women’s health fair will be on site, including HealthPlus, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island University Hospital, information on mastectomy bra fittings and wigs, and the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

All insurance plans will be accepted, and co-pays and deductibles will be waived. The mammograms will be free to uninsured women. Anyone who is eligible should call (800) 564-6868 to make an appointment for a screening.

On April 23, 2014, Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo held a first for Staten Island – a joint blood drive between Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) – to directly benefit the blood needs of Staten Islanders. Fifty four potential donors came to the drive, and the hospitals collected 48 pints of blood.

The drive kicked off a series of blood drives that will be hosted by the Borough President and facilitated by both hospitals working together at Borough Hall.“I am thrilled that both Richmond University and Staten Island University are working together, and that so many Staten Islanders generously donated blood,” said Borough President Oddo. “The blood collected at this drive can save over 75 lives. What an incredible feat for our community.”

One blood donation can save up to three lives – lives right here on Staten Island. Donors included employees at Borough Hall, the State Courts and community members. Donors were treated to a stuffed animal, “Dr. Ted E. Bear” from RUMC, a coupon for a free pizza at Jimmy Maxx Restaurant and a T shirt commemorating the unique blood drive series.

Borough President James Oddo visited PS 35, The Clove Valley School, on April 10. He toured classrooms, from Kindergarten through fifth grade, and answered students’ questions. The questions varied from “What number Borough President are you?” (the answer is 15) to “Is there a special house that the Borough President lives in?” (answer: “No, but there should be”) to more intense questions like “Do you think students should have a say in the curriculum, for their grade?” In addition, the BP told the principal that he has earmarked $80,000 for new laptops for the school. She announced this to the classes they visited and the news was met with cheers and applause.

After chatting with the students, the Borough President was treated to a preview of the school’s upcoming musical, “The Wizard of Oz.” The cast sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” before sending the BP off for the rest of his day, which included attending Mayor de Blasio’s First 100 Days address in Manhattan.

Borough President James S. Oddo joined District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. to present 80 used cell phones to Safe Horizon on April 9 at Borough Hall. The Borough President’s office collected the cell phones last year at a drive held at Borough Hall.With reports of domestic violence incidence rising to staggering levels on Staten Island, the phones will be used in the event of emergencies for victims to call 911. From 2009 to 2012, Staten Island reported a 51.9 percent increase in domestic violence, according to Division of Criminal Justice Services data.

Safe Horizon is the nation’s largest provider of residence for victims of domestic violence and their families, operating nine shelters across New York City. The donated cell phones will be distributed to domestic violence victims for use in emergency situations.“I’m pleased that members of the Staten Island community stepped up and donated their used cell phones,” noted Borough President Oddo. “These phones will provide a lifeline to victims, giving them a safe way to connect with the police in case of emergency.”

“Any one of these 80 cell phones generously donated by Borough President Oddo to Safe Horizon could be the very lifeline that quickly puts a victim in touch with emergency responders in their most dire moment,” noted Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., Richmond County District Attorney. He noted that it is a crime to try to take a phone away from someone who is calling for help and that as a community, we need to change the way we think about domestic violence. “If you saw someone breaking into your neighbor’s basement window, you would call the police. If you hear your neighbor beating his wife, you might not want to get involved. We have to change the way we think about this. It’s a crime,” he said.

“Safe Horizon applauds Staten Island and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo for their leadership in supporting survivors of Domestic Violence. The phones donated will make an impact for victims who have been isolated by abuse and violence for too long,” said Erika Arias-Moreno, Director of Staten Island Community and Criminal Justice Programs at Safe Horizon.

Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo, City Council Minority Leader Vincent Ignizio, Council Members Steven Matteo and Debi Rose, and Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President Linda Baran announced a six point plan to attack the litter problem that continues to plague Staten Island.

"Drive down any road, particularly our main streets, and you will see litter-strewn roads,” said Oddo. “The most frustrating part of it is that this is Staten Islanders causing the problem. We cannot blame this on anyone else. It is the person throwing the empty box of Newports or McDonald’s bag out their car window, multiplied by hundreds. Unfortunately, the police cannot be everywhere at once to ticket such individuals, and we cannot legislate against stupidity, selfishness, and ignorance, which is exactly what such behavior is. Since so many choose to engage in such behaviors it is incumbent on government to ensure that publicly owned properties are maintained and cleaned. That is exactly what our plan will do. I don’t want to live in a community where filth is the norm, and we don’t have to accept it because of the behavior of an unrepresentative few.”

Six Point Plan

1. Expansion of Borough President’s Clean Team

2. Putting Pressure on city, state, and federal agencies tomaintain and cleanup the properties under their jurisdiction

3. On-call mobile litter response team will be on the streets

4. Ask local businesses to help us expand the on-call mobile litter cleanup team

5. Continue efforts to bring an “Adopt-a-Train Station” program to Staten Island

6. Public’s Help

The public has a key role to play in this effort. It is important to stress that these teams cannot go onto privately owned lots to clean. The owners of those lots are responsible for their maintenance. In those cases, efforts will be made to help get in touch with the owners to ask them to maintain their property. These cleanup efforts will involve government owned or maintained properties. To report specific locations, Staten Islanders have several options: